Smoked Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

I’m a northern girl with a craving for comfort foods in the fall and winter months. Since my meal prep time has been reduced, (sigh) I rely heavily on casseroles and the Personal Chef, (my crock pot).Get your beast out and multitask. Throw the Smoked Ham and Potatoes in the oven. Toss in a load of laundry and run the vacuum. Ok…wait. And it’s frugal too.Cha Cha to the right…one time. Plus, its football season and you need an easy hot meal after church, when you sit down to act as armchair coach for the Steelers.

If you can make an entire meal with one pan, why not?When I say one pan, I mean it and hallelujah. That includes comfort food with a good buttery Rue as thickener or gravy. Turn the oven on and let’s get it. I’m going to show you how to make piping hot Smoked Ham and fork tender Scalloped Potatoes, nestled with onions in a creamy, buttery Rue.Easy. Pan to Plate cooking.

In the Kitchen

Rue is nothing more than a combination of butter, flour and a liquid for thinning. There’s a simple and quick way to make good Rue without whipping out another pan and a whisk. Rue will form itself in the oven, with a simple sprinkling of flour, chunks of butter and a little milk on a slow simmer. All you need is a sharp knife and a deep casserole dish for baking. Just make your Smoked Ham and Scalloped potatoes right in the casserole dish.

Musical Selection

Pharell Williams - Happy. Using it again. I’m still hooked. The song that made on all my devices. I never get tired of hearing the upbeat tempo and it’s motivating. “Kitchen Cha Cha” music.

Serve It

Get some use out of your ramekins or use a pretty soup bowl and make it a rustic meal. The bowl makes you want to fill it up and have a healthy portion of the Smoked Ham and Scalloped Potatoes like I did. You know my rule by now. Eating on white and photographing on white is so visually appealing but don’t forget to garnish.

Make It

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. You can do the following steps right on a cutting board. Dice up the butter in small chunks so that it’s ready for layering. Wash potatoes and slice in to medium rounds. Slice both onions in medium rounds as well. Dice Smoked Ham in to small to medium cubes. In a glass casserole dish, add a few potatoes, a few onions, and a few pieces of ham and butter chunks. Sprinkle a little flour, salt/pepper or season all and parsley flakes to each layer as seen below. Layer until all the ingredients are added. Pour the milk over the entire casserole and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Don’t expect leftovers. The scent of the Smoked Ham and Scalloped Potatoes is so inviting and warm. It beckons you to come to the table. As usual, Look Good, Cook Good and Entertain in Style

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Author

Heidi L. SmithI’m also a Freelance Photographer and Interior Decorator with a full time job and very little time to spend in the kitchen. I satisfy all dreams and desires with my healthy food blog called the Shugga Project. Enjoy scrumptious recipes, photos and healthy food tips from my kitchen.

All photos posted on this blog have been staged, styled and photography by HL Smith and copyright protected.